Micro-Organism Test Apparatus and Methods of Using the Same

ABSTRACT

A micro-organism testing apparatus comprising a multi-compartment resealable container provided with or adapted to receive a growth medium ( 97 ) in one compartment ( 83 ) and having a growth medium additive in another compartment ( 84, 85, 86 ), the compartments being separated by a barrier ( 95 ) whose removal or puncture will expose the medium to the additive. A barrier puncure mechanism, such as “saw tooth” shaped teeth can be used and further compartments and barrier puncture mechanisms can be used.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to improvements in and relating to thedetection of micro-organisms, in particular, apparatus adapted to growthe micro-organisms and test apparatus to test the grown micro-organismsas well as a method of detecting micro-organisms using one or both typesof apparatus.

BACKGROUND ART KNOWN TO THE APPLICANT

The contamination of water, foodstuffs, additives, cosmetics,pharmaceuticals and the like by undesirable micro-organisms represents asignificant threat to public health. In the past, a number of methods tomonitor the presence of such micro-organisms in foodstuff, watersupplies and on food preparation surfaces have been developed.

Generally such methods rely on conventional microbiological techniques,typically including the growth of micro-organisms on selective nutrientsolid support media or alternatively in selective nutrient media.Subsequent morphological and biochemical analyses are then carried outunder laboratory conditions by skilled personnel.

One such technique currently carried out by the Applicant involves theuse of a growth medium already stored in an evacuated UV lightpenetrative, clear plastics container that is sealed with a rubberseptum.

The liquid sample to be tested is introduced into the container throughthe septum via a needle or some other form of cannulas, the pressuredifference ensuring that the sample is “sucked” into the container. Thesample is then incubated and tested for specific or broad types ofmicro-organisms using visual techniques.

By necessity, some of these testing techniques tend to be carried out onproducts just before they are to be sent into the marketplace and theseproducts cannot enter the market place until the results are back fromthe testing laboratories.

In respect of products for human consumption, some of the methodsemployed to remove any residual harmful bacteria have usually just takenplace and thus, not too surprisingly, the level of bacteria that thetesting techniques are designed to look for is so low that the testresult for this bacteria is “negative”. As such, the product is passedfit for human consumption.

However, the bacteria although present in un-detectably small quantitiesare nevertheless still present and multiply and under the rightconditions, given the shelf life of the product, may be able to recoverto the extent that the bacteria are suddenly present in sufficientquantity to cause harm once the product is consumed.

This problem of “shelf life recovery” is a serious one in many types ofindustry and very few solutions to this problem apart from limiting theshelf life of the product to a very small time frame have been proposed.

Furthermore, the micro-organism testing kits (of the type describedabove) have relatively low shelf lives “out in the field” as UV lighttends to kill the growth medium contained therein. In addition, thematerial once tested may or may not be a bio-hazard and disposal of suchmaterials is expensive and legislation in this area is only ever goingto increase the cost of disposal of such materials.

It is an object of the present invention to try to provide “go anywhere”self contained apparatus by which unskilled personnel and without theuse or need of a laboratory may be able to carryout tests for orinvolving micro-organisms which will lead to a reliable and trustworthyresult.

It is also an object of the present invention to try and alleviate atleast some of the aforementioned problems or at least to provide thepublic with a useful choice.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide apparatus thatmay be used for medical, diagnostic or chemical testing purposes.

STATEMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided amicro-organism testing apparatus for carrying out tests for or involvingmicro-organisms comprising a multi-compartment resealable containerprovided with or adapted to receive a growth medium in one compartnentand having a growth medium additive in another compartment, thecompartments being separated by a barrier whose removal or puncture willexpose the medium to the additive.

Preferably the growth medium additive is an agent (for example bleach ora product known by the Registered Trade Mark VERKON®) capable of killingthe micro-organisms within the container. As such, the biohazard problemcan, in principle, be ‘reduced’ or eliminated entirely.

Although the reseatable nature of the container could be something assimple as a rubber septum, it is preferable if it were some form ofremovable lid. If the septum variant is employed, a moveable cannulacould be fitted to the apparatus inside a sleeve that is fits over theseptum to allow safe use of the cannula when using it to pass a sampleinto the apparatus.

Preferably the apparatus has at least three compartments, the thirdcontaining a further additive. This further additive may includebacteria This would be useful if the test sample is milk. If antibioticsare present in the milk, the bacteria may be killed by the antibioticsproviding a test result for the presence of the antibiotic but if thebacteria flourish, then the milk sample may be viewed as antibioticfree. This demonstrates a test involving (but not for) microorganisms.Alternatively, this additive may include a bacterium or microorganismsspecific detector, growth promotant, selective growth promotant, growthmetabolic or biochemical indicator selective growth agent and a nonspecific container sterilising medium.

More preferably still the apparatus comprises a tubular body portionprovided with screw theads at either end and two closure members eachcontaining complementary screw threads and each containing a compartnent(sealed by one or more barriers), housing at least one additive and asimilar number of barrier removal or puncture mechanism.

The removal of the barrier could for example constitute a pair ofapertured completely overlying concentric rotatable discs where in oneposition the apertures of one disc do not overlie the apertures of thesecond disc thus presenting a “sealed” barrier and upon rotation of onedisc relative to the other, at least some of the apertures alignremoving the “sealed” nature of the barrier to allow either the growthmedium or additive to enter the rest of the apparatus. Alternatively,the barrier may simply be removable by tearing it off.

Preferably however, the apparatus comprises a barrier puncture mechanismadapted to move from a first barrier intact position to a second barrierpunctured position. Such a mechanism may be resilient so that once ithas been moved from its first to its second position, it can recover andreturn automatically to its first position again.

For example if the barrier comprises two discs incorporating surfacesthat may act as blades, the rotation of the discs could cause thebarrier (if it were made of foil) to tear. However, more preferably, themovement of the puncture mechanism is a translational movement. Thisdoes not necessarily mean that actuation of the puncture mechanism isthrough a translational movement (although it probably will be), onecould envisage a scenario whereby rotation of the puncture mechanismcauses it to move in a translational direction, similar to the rotaryaction of a domestic tap that causes the spindle to move translationalmanner to enable water to flow.

As premature barrier removal is undesirable, preferably, the barrierpuncture mechanism is provided with means to prevent accidentalactuation of the mechanism.

These means could take the form of physical covers that wholly encasethe puncture mechanism, a barrier or wall that offers only partialprotection or a locking member.

More preferably, the means are in the form of a locking member adaptedto lock the mechanism in its first position.

There may be multiple barriers or only one (if it were to comprise apair of wells one housing the growth medium and the other housing anadditive), however, preferably there is more than one barrier.

More preferably still, there is more than one barrier puncture mechanism(which may or may not be identical in design to the first). If there aretwo, they may be located at opposite ends of the apparatus.

The additive may be a so-called controlled release additive.Altematively, it could be a timed release additive in the sense that abarrier puncture mechanism could be so operatively connected to theapparatus as to puncture a barrier containing additive after a timeddelay via a “press and forget” system which a person skilled in the artwould be able to design.

The additive may be in the form of a tablet, a powder, a liquid or astrip of material impregnated with the additive through fiquidabsorption or adsorption.

Preferably there is more than one additive. The design of the apparatuscould be such that once an additive has been added via the removal of abarrier, access to the interior of the container would not normally bepossible. Alternatively, the apparatus could be provided with a lockablelid that could only be locked once a lock prevention device has beenremoved from the apparatus. This lock prevention device could be abarrier in the form of a tub or cup or removable gasket.

More preferably, each additive is enclosed within its own barrier andits own barrier puncture or removal mechanism.

For the avoidance of doubt, “growth promotant” means anything thatenables bacteria to grow or provide an environment in which more rapidgrowth can occur and typical growth promotants include water, sugars,peptones and particulate matter. Furthermore, and again for theavoidance of doubt, a selective growth agent includes one which eitherinhibits growth of all the bacteria that is not the subject ofinvestigation or is specifically required by the species beinginvestigated for growth and typical selective growth agents includesodium chloride and bile salts or selective antibiotics. Typical growthindicators include resazurin, fluorescein and brilliant green.

Yet more preferably, each barrier puncture mechanism once actuated, isadapted to release a separate additive.

Although the apparatus could comprise many types of plastics or glassmaterial, it is preferable if the body of the apparatus absorbs UV lightand does not allow it to pass through the apparatus.

Preferably the apparatus incorporates a swab that may or may not beintegral with part of the apparatus and which may or may not be suppliedwith a wetting agent which may be a non specific growth medium.

Preferably the apparatus is provided with a mesh or sieve to filter ortrap solid particles of a test specimen whilst allowing the grow thmedium to interact with the specimen.

Although it may be removable for cleaning purposes, it would be morepreferable if the mesh or sieve is integrally locked or forms anintegral part of the apparatus.

Preferably the mesh size is in the range of 25-250 microns, morepreferably 70-200 microns.

The micro-organism under test could be fungi, yeast or protozoa,however, preferably the micro-organism that is going to be tested for isa bacterium or a number of different strains of bacteria.

The invention includes within its scope micro-organism testing apparatussubstantially as herein described with reference to and as illustratedin the accompanying drawings.

The invention also includes within its scope a testing apparatus fittedwith one or more micro-organism testing apparatus's as specified herein

The testing apparatus may be adapted to warm the test sample up to 37degrees or more.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provideda method of testing for or at least using one type of micro-organismusing a micro-organism testing apparatus of the type specified hereinand comprising the steps of:

-   -   unsealing a container to gain access to its interior and adding        a sample to be tested to a growth medium present in the        container,    -   resealing the container and subsequently allowing the growth        medium and sample to mix;    -   visually checking for a colour change in the solution;    -   removing a barrier to allow an additive to kill the        micro-organisms present within the container.

Although a visual check may be all that is necessary to see whether oneor more micro-organisms is/are present, it may be preferable to placethe apparatus into additional testing apparatus adapted to test for thepresence of the micro-organism via a more sensitive means. Suchapparatus is described in New Zealand Patent Application No. 539210which forms appendix 1 of this application.

Preferably the micro-organism is a bacteriumn.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provideda method of testing for at least one type of micro-organism comprisingthe steps of:

-   -   Unsealing a container of the type specified herein to gain        access to at least one barrier of the container that separates        compartments within the container, one compartment containing a        bacterial testing agent;    -   adding a sample to be tested to the container    -   adding a growth medium to the container,    -   resealing the container and subsequently allowing the growth        medium, sample and bacterial testing agent to mix;    -   testing for the presence of the micro-organism and subsequently        adding an additive to the container to kill the micro-organisms        present within it.

Unsealing the container may be achieved through the puncturing of arubber septum.

Preferably the barrier is removed by puncturing it.

Preferably, the growth medium is an aqueous growth medium.

The method further includes the step of placing the apparatus into thetest apparatus in appendix 1 to obtain the test results.

The apparatus and the methods of teting described herein provide a selfcontained kit for testing material that does not require the use of alaboratory, can combine tests for multiple types of micro-organisms inthe same piece of apparatus and is simple to use (you do not need to bea trained scientist to use or indeed understand how to use theapparatus) and is safe to use.

This is because an operator after sealing the apparatus with the testsample inside is probably not going to be able to open the apparatusagain so the mixing of additives/growth promoters etc is all selfcontained and there is no possibility of the contents spilling out andcontaminating the tester or the environment.

Finally, the tested material can be sanitized or rendered safe, againwithout the tester being able to contact the tested sample.

The invention includes within its scope methods substantially asdescribed herein with reference to and as illustrated in any appropriateselection or combination of the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be moreparticularly described, by way of example only, with reference to theaccompanying sheets of drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a sectional side view of one embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a sectional side view of another embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a sectional side view of yet another embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a sectional side view of a further embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of another embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a sectional side view of the embodiment illustratedin FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 illustrates a top view of a locking mechanism used to lock a lidto a body of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 illustrates an underside view of a base of the lid illustrating acomplementary locking mechanism to that illustrated in FIG. 7.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of a bacterium testing apparatus comprisinga screw threaded container generally referenced 1. The container 1comprises a body 2 containing an aqueous growth medium 3 and a lid 4.The internal face of the lid 4 about its circumferential periphery isprovided with resilient wadding 5 adapted to create a water tight sealwith the body 2 when the lid 4 is tightly screwed to the body 2 via themating threads 8.

A foil barrier 6 overlies and mates with the circumferential peripheralface or mouth of the body 2 in a watertight manner. The barrier 6 isprovided with a tag 9 (that reveals itself when the lid 4 is removed),to enable the barrier 6 to be removed from the mouth of the body 2 ofthe container 1 when the lid 2 has been unscrewed from the body 2.

Substantially centrally located on the internal face of the lid 4 is acircular sheet of filter paper 7 impregnated with a bacterium testingagent.

Operation of the apparatus 1 is as follows;

The lid 4 is unscrewed from the body 2 by an individual (notillustrated) who is about to perform the bacterial test. Then theindividual grabs the tag 9 and pulling the tag 9 swiftly across themouth of the body of the container 2 removes the barrier 6 exposing thegrowth medium 3 held within the body 2 of the container 1 for the firsttime.

The sample to be tested (not illustrated) in this particular example ismilk powder and the tester is going to be looking for coliform bacteriaThe sample is then placed into the medium 3 and the lid 4 screwedtightly back onto the body 2 of the container 1, the resilient wadding 5forming a watertight seal for the container 1.

Subsequent inversion or shaldng of the container 1 causes mixing of thebacterium testing agent with the growth medium/sample mixture or growthmedium solvent/dissolved sample solute. The container 1 is then placedin an incubator and warmed to 37 degrees for an adequate passage oftime. Removal of the container 1 and a visual check of the growth median3 will tell whether the bacterium is present because the growth mediumwill have experienced a visible colour change.

FIG. 2 shows a different embodiment to that shown in FIG. 1 although thegeneral features of the apparatus generally referenced 1A are the sameas previously described hereinabove. However, in this particularembodiment, instead of a piece of filter paper impregnated with abacterium testing agent, there is provided a cylindrical foil pocket 22containing a bacterium testing agent 23.

Again, the pocket 22 is centrally located on the internal face of thelid 4, with the mouth of the pocket 22 permanently sealed to theinternal face of the lid 4. Concentric with the pocket 22 and located onthe exterior surface of the lid 4 is an upwardly projecting sleeve 21that acts as a guide for and houses a sliding plunger 20. The top of theplunger 20 is provided with a flange that overlies the sleeve 21 andacts as a stop member to prevent the plunger 20 from moving beyond acertain point when depressed and the base portion of the plunger 20 isprovided with a cutting edge to puncture the base of the pocket 22 whenit is depressed.

Surrounding the lid 4 is a relatively inflexible plastics bubble 24sealed to the container 1A below the screw thread 8 that acts as aphysical guard against the accidental depression of the plunger 20. This“guard” 24 also acts as a visual tamper proof check to see if thecontainer 1A has already been opened.

Operation of the apparatus 1A is as follows:

The guard 24 is broken and subsequently removed by an individual (notillustrated) who is about to perform the bacterial test. Then the lid 4is unscrewed from the body 2 by the individual. Then the individualgrabs the tag 9 and pulling the tag 9 swiftly across the mouth of thebody of the container 2 removes the barrier 6 exposing the growth medium3 held within the body 2 of the container 1A for the first time.

The item to be tested (not illustrated) is then placed into the medium 3and the lid 4 screwed tightly back onto the body 2 of the container 1A,the resilient wadding 5 forming a watertight seal for the container 1A.

The plunger 20 is then depressed puncturing the pocket 22 and allowingthe pocket's contents 23 to mix with the growth medium 3 and sample.

Subsequent inversion or shaking of the container 1A causes furthermixing of the bacterium testing agent 23 with the growth medium/samplemixture or growth medium solvent/dissolved sample solute. The container1A is then placed in an incubator and warmed to 37 degrees for asufficient time period. Removal of the container 1A and a visual checkof the growth medium 3 will tell whether the bacterium that is beingtested for is present because the growth medium will have experienced avisible colour change.

FIG. 3 shows a different embodiment to that shown in FIGS. 1 & 2although the general features of the apparatus generally referenced 1Bare the same as previously described in FIG. 2.

However, in this particular embodiment, instead of a single plunger, thelid 4 possesses a pair of plungers 42 arranged in side by siderelationship and instead of the guard being in the form of a bubble,each plunger is provided with a removable clip 40 located in the spacebetween the top of the sleeve 20 and the base of the flange. The clip 40prevents depression of the plunger until it is removed.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the barrier 6 is not present One of theplungers 42 contains a second bacterium testing agent 50 adapted to testfor another subset of bacteria after the first test using the otherplunger 42 has been carried out.

Operation of the apparatus 1B is as follows:

The clips 40 are removed by an individual (not illustrated) who is aboutto perform the bacterial Test. Then the lid 4 is unscrewed from the body2 by the individual, exposing the growth medium 3 held within the body 2of the container 1B for the first time. The item to be tested (notillustrated) is then placed into the medium 3 and the lid 4 screwedtightly back onto the body 2 of the container 1B, the resilient wadding5 forming a watertight seal for the container 1B. The container 1B isthen placed in an incubator and warmed to 37 degrees for an adequatetime period.

The plunger 42 is then depressed puncturing the pocket 22 and allowingthe pocket's contents 23 to mix with the growth medium 3.

Subsequent inversion or shaking of the container 1B causes furthermixing of the bacterium testing agent 23 with the growth medium/samplemixture or growth medium solvent/dissolved sample solute. Removal of thecontainer 1B from the incubator and a visual check of the growth medium3 will tell whether the bacterium that is being tested for is presentbecause the growth medium will have experienced a visible colour change.

Once this test has been completed, the container 1B is removed from theincubator.

The other plunger 42 is depressed puncturing the pocket 22A and allowingthe pocket's contents 50 to mix with the contents of the container 1B.

Subsequent inversion or shaking of the container 1B causes furthermixing of the bacterium testing agent 50 with the container 1B contents.Again, the container is placed in the incubator and heated to asufficient temperature for a sufficient time period.

Removal of the container IB from the incubator and a visual check of thegrowth medium 3 will tell whether this second bacterium that is beingtested for is present because the effect of the presence of this otherbacterium in the presence of the contents 50 will produce another colourchange.

FIG. 4 shows a different embodiment to that shown in the other figuresalthough the general features of the apparatus generally referenced 1Care the same as previously described in FIG. 2.

However, in this particular embodiment, there is no guard. Furthermore,in this embodiment, the barrier 6 is not present The base of thecontainer 1C however, is provided with a spring loaded 61 sealed 60bleach containing 63 reservoir with a tang 64 adapted to break the baseof the container 1C allowing the contents of the container 1C to mixwith the bleaching agent 63 to kill the live contents of the container1C after the test has been completed thus dispensing with the need toincinerate the apparatus 1C post testing.

Operation of the apparatus 1C is as follows:

The lid 4 is unscrewed from the body 2 by an individual (notillustrated) who is about to perform the bacterial test exposing thegrowth medium 3 held within the body 2 of the container 1C for the firsttime. The item to be tested (not illustrated) is then placed into themedium 3 and the lid 4 screwed tightly back onto the body 2 of thecontainer 1C, the resilient wadding 5 forming a watertight seal for thecontainer 1C.

The plunger 20 is then depressed puncturing the pocket 22 and allowingthe pocket's contents 23 to mix with the growth medium 3.

Subsequent inversion or shaking of the container 1C causes furthermixing of the bacterium testing agent 23 with the growth medium/samplemixture or growth medium solvent/dissolved sample solute. The container1C is then placed in an incubator and warmed to 37 degrees for anadequate time period. Removal of the container 1C and a visual check ofthe growth medium 3 will tell whether the bacterium that is being testedfor is present because the growth medium will have experienced a visiblecolour change.

Once the test is over the lid 4 becomes the plunger and the container 1Cis pushed onto the tang 64 until the base (and only the base) of thecontainer 1C ruptures allowing the contents of the container 1C to mixwith the bleach killing the entire contents of the container 1C allowingit to be disposed of safely.

FIG. 5 shows a side view of a columnar bacteria testing apparatuscomprising a screw threaded container that is generally referenced 70.

The apparatus 71 comprises a top portion in the form of a lockable lid71, made from blue polyethylene, to serve as a visual indicator to auser of the apparatus 70 of the type of growth of medium (and hence thetvne of test that is going to be carried out) is located therein, a baseportion 72 again made from polyethylene, but this time the plasticsmaterial used is coloured pink to serve as a visual indicator to theuser that this is the end that contains a kiling agent, and a centralbody portion 73 formed from UV absorbing (i.e. non penetrative) plasticsmaterial.

From the side, the lid 71 is in the form of a truncated domeincorporating a flange base. The lid 71 is provided with a twelveelongate, parallel spaced apart completely overlying ribs 76 whoselongitudinal axes are parallel with the longitudinal axis of theassembled apparatus 70. Each rib 76 begins in the flange base andterminates prior to the truncated top of the lid 71 and they serve as afinger grip when a user handles the apparatus 70.

Turning to FIG. 6, this shows a cross section of the embodiment shown inFIG. 5 and as can be seen, the lid 71 mates with the body 73 viacomplementary screw threads 80,81 located around the respective necks ofthe lid 71 and body 73. A black natural rubber tub 84,85,86 of uniformthickness comprising an annular flange top 84, integral with acontinuous linear sloping side wall 85 that is to all intents andpurposes, fusto-conical in shape and which terminates in a flat circularbase 86 that is concentric with, is smaller than and parallel with, theflange top 84.

The flange top 84 is so designed as to overlie the thickness of the topof the neck of the body 73, whilst the base 86 is substantially flushwith bottom of the neck of the body 73. The flange top 84 prevents thelid 71 from being screwed down completely onto the threaded 81 neck ofthe body 73 of the apparatus 70.

The lid 71 is provided with a resilient circular convex diaphram 82, thecentre of which passes through the longitudinal axis of the apparatus70. This centre sits below the truncated top of the lid 71 to preventaccidental depression of the top 82 if something that can span the lidtop comes to rest on the truncated top of the lid 71.

The underside of the diaphram 82 is operatively connected to adownwardly depending and expanding frusto-conical wall terminated by aplurality of “saw tooth” shaped teeth that are adapted to puncture acircular foil sheet 95 that is glued to and which spans the upperportion of the interior of the lid 71 above the flange top 84 to form aseparate integral compartnent within the lid 71.

The compartnent contains a specific type of growth medium.

Centrally located, glued to and downwardly depending from the foil 95 isan annular shaped testing swab sponge 97 whose dimensions are such thatit extends down to substantially contact the base 86 and occupy a largevolume of the tub 84,85,86. The tub 84,85,86 contains sufficient amountsof a non specific growth medium to wet the sponge 97.

Sandwiched between the foil sheet 95 and the top of the flange top 84 isa plastics “O” ring that substantially overlies the annulus of theflange top 84.

Moving from the top of the apparatus 70 in a downward direction in theapparatus's initial attitude of operation, immediately below the screwthreaded 81 neck of the body 73, is a wider concentric flange shoulder87 that is immediately followed by a concentric constriction 93, whichthen widens once again to substantially the same dimensions as theshoulder 87, to form the main part of the columnar body 73 of theapparatus 71.

Trapped within the internal thickness of the shoulder 87 is a flatcircular filter 88 that spans the entire surface area swept out by theinternal thickness of the shoulder 87. The distance separating thebottom of the flange base of the lid 71 from a top surface 75 of theshoulder 87 is substantially equal to the thickness of the flange top84.

The base portion 72 mates with the body 73 via complementary screwthreads 89,90 located around the respective base necks of the baseportion 72 and the body 73 in a lockable manner and is usually suppliedpre-locked into place.

A resilient circular convex diaphragm 91 mirroring that of the top 82and provided with a similar set of teeth 92 as that of the diaphragm 82is located within the base portion 72. The teeth 92 are adapted topuncture a circular foil sheet 96 that is glued to and which spans thestart of the base neck of the body 73 to form a separate integralcompartment within the base portion 72.

The centre of the diaphragm 91 is recessed within the flat base 99 ofthe base portion 72 so that accidental depression of the diaphragm 91 ifsomething that can span the base 99 comes to rest on base 99 during forexample transit of the apparatus 70, does not occur.

This compartment located within the base portion 72 contains bleach.

Turning now to FIG. 7, this is a top view of the shoulder 87 in itsinitial normal attitude of operation and the figure also shows the areaimmediately above the shoulder 87, i.e. the area immediately below thestart of the screw threaded neck 81 of the body 73. Integral with andsat on the uppermost surface 75 of the shoulder 87 is a curved shoulder74 (similar in shape to a leading edge of a shark fin) whose radius ofcurvature has a centre that is not the same as the centre of the radiusof curvature of the apparatus 70 but is parallel with it. The shoulder74 extends as a continuous curve from the base of the exterior surfaceof the neck 81 and terminates abruptly with a straight line thatoverlies a viraual diameter of the apparaus 74.

Opposite the shoulder 74 on the same upper surface of the shoulder 87 isa similar shoulder 74. This similar shoulder 74 is located at a pointthat is a 180 degree rotation of the first shoulder 74 about the centreof the apparatus 70. The thickness of both shoulders 74 is slightly lessthan the thickness of the flange top 84.

FIG. 8 shows the underside of the flange base of the lid 71 Projectingradially inwards from the internal circumferential peripheral wall ofthe base of the flange base, are a pair of mutually opposed elongateresilient “shark fin” shaped nipples 98 that are of a similar thicknessto the thickness of the shoulders 74. The nipples 98 extend inwardly,decreasing in size until they would substantially contact the screwthread 81 at which point they terminate.

The leading edge of each “shark fin” is designed to contact respectivecurved shoulders 74 as the lid 71 is screwed down fully.

In use, the lid 71 is unscrewed and the tub 84,85,86 is first removed.

The lid 71 and the non specific growth medium impregnated sponge 97combination is used to swab the test surface for bacteria.

Aqueous growth media is added to the body 73 of the apparatus 70

The lid 71 (free from the tub 84,85,86) is fully screwed back over theneck of the body 73.

The last turn of the lid 71 causing the curved nipples 98 to ride overthe curved shoulders 74 and snap back to their start position so thatsubstantially the “flat” side of the shoulders 74 now contact thetrailing edges of the nipples 98 thus making it normally not possible tounscrew the lid 71 and effectively locking the lid 71 to the body 73 sothat the contents of the apparatus 70 cannot escape. At this point, theO ring 94 becomes compressed between the thickness of the top of theneck of the body 73 and the internal top ofthe lid 71 to from asubstantially fluid tight seal for the apparatus 70.

The convex top 82 is then depressed by a thumb of an operator and theteeth 83 puncture the foil 95 to release the growth medium.

The apparatus 70 is then inverted and in this state is placed into abacterial testing machine where it is incubated and scanned with a rangeof light wave lengths to detect the presence of bacteria.

At the end of the test, the convex base 92 is depressed causing theteeth 92 to puncture the foil 96 to enable the bleach to enter the body73 and kill all of the micro-biological material within it.

If the apparatus 70 is to be used to test a solid product such as meat,the apparatus 70 water is pre supplied in the apparatus 70. The meatsample is placed within the neck of the body 71 and the lid 71 isscrewed down tight as before. Puncturing of the foil 95 and shaking ofthe apparatus 70 will cause the meat to mix with the growth medium butthe filter 88 will prevent lumps of meat from entering the body 73 ofthe apparatus 70, ‘clouding’ the test solution and causing erroneousreadings during the testing procedure. Inversion of the apparatus 70prior to placing it within the incubating bacterial testing machine willensure that the meat through gravity will sit within the base of the lid71 and not tend to potentially diffuse through the filter 88 to causeerroneous results.

Once testing has been completed and the microbiological material killedthe apparatus can be sent for normal disposal.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification the word“comprise” and variations of that word, such as “comprises” and“comprising”, are not intended to exclude other additives, components,integers or steps.

1-26. (canceled)
 27. A micro-organism detection apparatus consisting of:a fluid container with at least one light path through container and acontained fluid a container incubator at least partially surrounding acontainer receiving space a light source transmitting light into thefluid container and mounted to the container incubator a light sensorfixed in relation to the container incubator and detecting light of atleast one colour which has passed through the fluid from the lightsource, a comparator detecting changes over time in the lighttransmission of at least said one colour.
 28. The apparatus as claimedin claim 27 wherein the sensor is an integrated circuit optical sensor.29. The apparatus as claimed in claim 28 wherein the colour from atleast red, green and blue light is sensed.
 30. The apparatus of claim 28wherein at least one colour frequency band is outside the visiblespectrum.
 31. The apparatus as claimed in claim 27 wherein the colourchange is as a result of a change in the colour of an indicator in thefluid.
 32. The apparatus as claimed in claim 27 wherein the colourchange in transmitted light is monitored as a function of time.
 33. Theapparatus as claimed in claim 27 wherein the incubator has a heatingelement.
 34. The apparatus as claimed in claim 33 wherein the heatingelement is controlled to maintain the fluid temperature substantiallyconstant.
 35. The apparatus as claimed in claim 27 wherein the lightdetected is transmitted light.
 36. The apparatus as claimed in claim 27wherein the light detected is light reflected from the light source bythe contents of the container.